Traffic technology group Swarco has acquired the APT group of companies, creating one of the largest traffic and parking management systems businesses in Europe.
In a deal signed by Swarco founder and owner Manfred Swarovski on 7 May, Swarco purchased 100% of the shares of the APT Group based in Harrow/Middlesex, comprising APT Security Systems, APT Skidata, APT Street Services, APT Technologies, SignPost Solutions and ParkingPal.
Swarco CEO Cees de Wijs said: “We have complementary rather than competing products and solutions, and strong synergies in terms of business ethics, culture and corporate dynamics.”
Swarco is particularly strong in the adaptive control of urban and interurban traffic including public transport solutions and parking management systems – everything from LED-based signage and parking guidance solutions to efficient parking information and communications technologies. APT similarly has strength and depth in its range of solutions that are centred on the safe movement and management of vehicles and people for the future urban environment.
Dermot Murphy, Chief Executive of the APT group of companies, added: “Customers will benefit from having an even broader range of products, services and indeed people with whom to work. But more than this, the combined resources of both businesses can be focused on researching and developing new products, and bringing those products to market in a more timely fashion in line with customer demands. The two companies will be able to share product development, service, sales and marketing resource. There will be a significantly increased number of field-based resources on hand to support the two companies’ customers nationwide.”
Swarco and APT have previously worked together on a number of projects and proven the concept and the advantages of a combined offer to the market, for example in the parking guidance management of major UK shopping centres.
In the UK, Swarco is now operative with its subsidiary Swarco Traffic and their manufacturing presence in Richmond (North Yorkshire) and sales and service centre in Milton Keynes, and through the APT facilities in Harrow and Tipton.
